Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that NATO membership for Ukraine could help end the ongoing war with Russia, but only if the alliance covers all of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders, including regions under Russian control.
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In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Zelensky was asked whether he would accept NATO membership, but only for the territories currently controlled by Kyiv. He responded positively but emphasized that NATO membership should extend to all of Ukraine. He argued that any partial NATO invitation would imply that parts of Ukraine belong to Russia, which Kyiv cannot accept.
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While Zelensky's proposal is theoretical, he highlighted that no one has officially made such an offer. Whether NATO would consider granting membership to a divided Ukraine remains uncertain.
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Zelensky stressed that ceasefires, often proposed in peace talks, would not work unless NATO guarantees protection. Without such assurances, he argued, Russia could simply resume its attacks once the ceasefire ends. NATO membership, in his view, is the only way to secure Ukraine from further aggression.
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The idea of offering NATO membership to Ukraine, particularly under its current divided status, has reportedly been discussed in Western circles for over a year, although no formal proposals have been made.
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While some U.S. officials, including President-elect Donald Trump, have suggested the war could end swiftly, potentially with compromises from Ukraine, Zelensky has reiterated that Ukraine seeks a diplomatic solution, hoping for peace by 2025.
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The war began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea, and escalated in 2022 with a full-scale invasion. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no sign of abandoning his aim to fully control Ukraine, making any NATO involvement appear highly unlikely at this stage.
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As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter of war, Zelensky’s call for NATO membership offers a potential path to peace, though its realization seems distant.
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